Page 77 of A Simple Love

Her tone softened. “Davis said it was lucky you fell the way you did.”

I sat down gingerly. The sofa here wasn’t as plush as the one at Kassie’s. “He’s right, but I did, and aside from a sore ass and my pride, I’m fine.”

She became terse again. “I hear you’re having some costar trouble.”

“Nothing I can’t handle.”

She paused, and I knew the vape was going. I waited patiently. “Davis says you’re taking the high road.”

“I told you I would behave.”

“See to it you continue. And you have an appointment at four in Toronto. Davis knows. I’ll send you the details.”

And she hung up.

I shook my head in amusement. That was Annie. Brisk, no-nonsense, to the point.

I glanced at the call sheet, grateful for the unexpected overcast skies. It gave me another day before I had to climb up on the horse again.

Thank God for small mercies.

I suffered through all the tests, not surprised when the doctor informed me I was fine aside from the stiffness and bruising. I understood the insurance company wanting affirmation. I was an expensive commodity, and they needed to protect their investment. I was glad to be done, and I headed to the lobby, waiting for the car to return and take me back to Richton. I was restless and edgy, and I headed outside. I sat on the bench carefully, waiting for my ride. A few moments later, I got the same prickle at the back of my neck. I glanced up and froze at the sight of the man sitting across the road from me. He had his ankle crossed over his knee, a camera balancing on it. He smirked at me, lifting the lens to his eye and clicking the shutter repeatedly. I had to lock myself down and force the rage that flowed through me not to burst out. I wanted to rush across the street and punch him. Smash the camera he was aiming so gleefully at me. Instead, I turned my head, counting slowly to try to remain calm. He shouldn’t be here. He was breaking the restraining order I had against him. I needed to call my lawyer and Annie. Most importantly, though, I needed to remain calm.

He stood and sauntered over. I carefully turned on my phone mic and hit record.

“How’s the ass, Hart?” he asked as a greeting.

“Better than yours will be when the cops kick it to jail for breaking the restraining order, Flynn,” I replied, my fist tightening in my pocket.

How did he know about my injury?

He chuckled. “It’s for the continental US,” he said with a smarmy grin. “Doesn’t include this country.”

That news made me even angrier. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

He shrugged. “I heard there was a good story involving my old friend Oliver Hart. Had to come and check it out.”

I shrugged. “No story here, Flynn. Shooting an indie film. Closed set. Nothing to see. So be a good little pap and fuck off.”

I saw the car rounding the corner, and I stood, refusing to let him see that it hurt when I did so. He was a short little man. Wide. Ugly as hell. Dishonest and a schemer. He twisted words, faked photos, created false quotes, anything to get his name in print. He and I had clashed so often, my file against him at the law office had a drawer of its own. I didn’t want him anywhere near the set, the town, and especially Kassie. Just the thought of that made me ill.

“Why don’t you make me?” he murmured, shoving a piece of gum into his mouth. “Take a swing the way you enjoy.”

I laughed bitterly. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? I’m past that, Flynn. You and your sordid little pictures don’t scare me anymore. I have nothing to hide. You’ll get bored soon enough.” I towered over him, my words clear. “Leave me alone. Leave the set alone. Whatever crumb you think you found is nothing.”

He chuckled, the sound infuriating and grating. “My source is pretty solid,” he mused.

I was going to lose it. I could feel it.

I brushed past him, accidentally pushing him away. “Oops, sorry. I slipped.”

He held out his arms. “An accident. Those happen, don’t they, Mr. Big Shot? In life, on set…” He trailed off. “Things happen. People get hurt.”

And he turned away, whistling. “See you around, film star.”

I climbed into the car, pulling out my phone. “Get me back to Richton. Fast.”

Hours later, I sat across from Davis, with Annie and my lawyer on Zoom between us.